Outward Reform or Heart Change? - II Kings 22-23 and John 4:31-54
The Bible says a remarkable thing about King Josiah, who became king when he was 8 years old and reigned in Judah for 31 years. There was not another king who turned to the Lord with all of his heart, soul, and might like Josiah. That statement would include even King David. There is no doubt that Josiah had a heart change when he was read the book of the Law found in the Temple. He tried to institute all the laws, and he tried to destroy all of the false religions. It is incredible to read about all of the idolatry and false religion that had built up over the years, but he did away with it. The shame is that when he was killed, the people went right back to evil, because they did not have a similar heart change. To them, all of Josiah's efforts to follow the Lord were just outward reforms. Many people go along with their leaders, when it comes to outward reforms, but they never turn their heart, soul, and mind over to the Lord fully. God can't honor outward reforms that are not connected to heart change, so He sent destruction on Judah, and He will send His punishment into our lives as well.
The situation was totally different in John 4. The woman at the well had a heart change. The people came to Jesus at first, because of what she told them, but then, they had a heart change. The nobleman, whose son was healed by Jesus, had a heart change, and his entire family believed in the Lord Jesus. A sinful Samaritan woman, the Samaritan townspeople, and a nobleman were a very unlikely group to experience heart change. Even the disciples did not seem to be at that point yet. They were seeing the miracles and hearing the words of Jesus, but something was missing. Could it have been they were seeing the outward, and they were missing the need for heart change? I am not sure about that, but I know that God only goes by the heart and that is the only change that will be lasting, satisfying change in our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Kings 24-25 and John 5:1-24.
The situation was totally different in John 4. The woman at the well had a heart change. The people came to Jesus at first, because of what she told them, but then, they had a heart change. The nobleman, whose son was healed by Jesus, had a heart change, and his entire family believed in the Lord Jesus. A sinful Samaritan woman, the Samaritan townspeople, and a nobleman were a very unlikely group to experience heart change. Even the disciples did not seem to be at that point yet. They were seeing the miracles and hearing the words of Jesus, but something was missing. Could it have been they were seeing the outward, and they were missing the need for heart change? I am not sure about that, but I know that God only goes by the heart and that is the only change that will be lasting, satisfying change in our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Kings 24-25 and John 5:1-24.